yeah. i may have jumped to conclusions regarding the idea of swapping the boards out, or moving the machines over at all. i need to slow down a tad and work this out a little more carefully.

why don't i list my options.

1)) i could leave desktop 2 where it is and buy a new desktop 3. if i do that, i'll want to get something cheap; 8 gb max. that will help me find the right specs, too. ps/2 outs. integrated video. no wireless. lots of usb. etc.

2) i could move desktop 2 in here (minus the peripherals) and buy a new desktop 3 (using some parts from desktop 2). in that case,

a) what os would i use for desktop 2? xp 32 winlited? xp 64 (winlited?)? 7 64? answer: i'd need to experiment. is this a minor oe major concern? dependent on optins.

b) can i find an ideal desktop 2 board? or an ideal desktop 3 board?

that's maybe where i should start: what can i find? can i find the perfect board for one or the other? and, if so, how can i adjust the other?

and, what if i find two ideal boards?

ideal desktop 2: basically the p5b-premium, except the chipset was iffy for 64-bit with 2007 tech. i need to experiment.
ideal desktop 3: 16 gb ram max (8 for now). no wifi. firewire in back. ps/2. ample sata & usb. integrated vga video.

k.

i'm going to search every single asus board for the ideals, and go from there.